Karim Benzema leaves Real Madrid

MADRID, 4 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The French striker Karim Benzema will not continue next season at Real Madrid, the white club confirmed this Sunday, so the current Ballon d'Or winner ends a period of 14 seasons wearing the Real Madrid shirt before embarking on a new professional adventure , predictably in the Saudi Al-Ittihad.

"Real Madrid CF and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to put an end to his brilliant and unforgettable stage as a player for our club. Real Madrid wants to show its gratitude and all its affection for who is already one of our greatest legends," he reported. the Madrid entity in a comprehensive statement.

The 'nine' of Real Madrid thus puts an end to an extensive and fruitful journey in the Chamartín entity, from which he leaves as a legend and icon endorsed by more than twenty collective successes and the achievement of the Ballon d'Or for 2022, as the culmination of a season, the last one, unforgettable for the Frenchman and Real Madrid.

Symbol, along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká, of Florentino Pérez's new galacticos, Benzema says goodbye to the club of his life, in which he has managed to convince based on silent work and world-class football. 14 seasons defending the white elastic to play a total of 647 official matches, the fifth player with the most matches in the history of Real Madrid.

A legendary record that has increased even more with his 353 goals for the Merengue club, the entity's second highest scorer, behind Cristiano Ronaldo. The Frenchman surpassed other white myths such as Alfredo Di Stefano, Raúl González, 'Santillana', Ferenc Puskas, Gento or Emilio Butragueño in his extensive stage at Real Madrid.

In his 14 seasons as a Real Madrid player since his arrival at the club in 2009 from Olympique de Lyon at the age of 21, despite more complicated starts than expected, he has been able to celebrate 25 national and international titles, the player with the most trophies in the history of Real Madrid with Brazilian Marcelo. And it is that the Frenchman boasts in his enviable record of four Leagues, three Copas del Rey, four Spanish Super Cups, five 'Champions', four European Super Cups and five Club World Cups.

His performance has always been influential, even more so by being part of the famous 'BBC' from the 2013-2014 season, a trinomial with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale that was key to the achievement of four Champions Leagues between 2014 and 2018. The departure of the Portuguese 'crack' and the downturn of the Welshman put Benzema in the spotlight, taking over the team's scoring responsibility without panic.

Last season was the best example of his relevance and influence on the team's successes, when he completed an excellent campaign in which he played 46 games, scored 44 goals and provided 15 assists. A productivity that allowed him to become top scorer in the League and the Champions League and win the prestigious Ballon d'Or, beating Sadio Mané and Kevin de Bruyne in the votes.

"Karim Benzema's career at Real Madrid has been an example of behavior and professionalism, and has represented the values ​​of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future. Real Madrid fans and all the fans around the world have enjoyed of his magical and unique football, which have made him one of the great myths of our club and one of the great legends of world football.Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and he wishes him and all the best his family in this new stage of his life", said the white club.

This Tuesday, starting at 12 noon, an institutional act of tribute and farewell to Karim Benzema will be held at Real Madrid City, which will include the white president, Florentino Pérez.